1. 3 records in an ODI!
M D Dhoni turns 31 on July 7. We pick 7 of his unforgettable achievements till date…
In 2005, MSD set the world record for the highest score (183* against Sri Lanka) in the second innings in an ODI. In the process he hit 10 Sixes – the most by an Indian in an innings, and the fifth highest in ODIs! He scored 120 runs from boundaries (15) and sixes (10) – a world record.
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2. Prolific wicketkeeper!
His unbeaten 139 in the 3rd ODI of Afro-Asia Cup in 2007 is still the highest-ever ODI score by a number 7 batsman. Mahi’s ODI batting average (50.17) is the highest by a wicket keeper.
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3. Dhoni, the bowler
The captain cool bowled for the first time in ODIs and took his first wicket too – Travis Dowlin of West Indies during the Champions Trophy in South Africa (2009). He is the ONLY wicketkeeper to have a wicket to his name!
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4. No. 1 in Tests
Dhoni scored two centuries in Sri Lanka’s tour of India in 2009 (which India won 2–0). Under his captaincy, India soared up to the number 1 position in Test cricket for the first time in history. India’s 726–9 (declared) in the third Test was their highest Test total ever.
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5. Caught behind!
Dhoni has performed a double of 3000 runs and 200 dismissals – only the 7th wicketkeeper to achieve the feat. He is also the first Indian wicketkeeper to captain the side.
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6. The World Champion
MS Dhoni is the FIRST World T20 winning team’s captain. In 2007, India beat Pakistan in the final to lift the T20 World Cup trophy. He led India to win their second 50-50 World Cup in 2011; Kapil Dev was the first in 1983. No other captain has ever won World Cups of both the formats – ODI as well as T20.
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7. 20-20 Hero
Apart from the T20 WC win, Dhoni led Chennai Super Kings to two consecutive IPL titles (2010 & 2011) as well as Champions League T20 trophy in 2010. He is the ONLY captain to win the IPL twice!